OREM, Utah (AP) — Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed at a college event in Utah, a tragedy that officials described as a political assassination. Authorities confirmed Kirk was shot with a single shot from a rooftop during an event at Utah Valley University, causing chaos as attendees screamed and fled the scene. The federal and state authorities are investigating what they termed multiple active crime scenes as they search for the unidentified shooter.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox expressed his horror over the incident, stating, \u201cThis is a dark day for our state. It’s a tragic day for our nation.\u201d
Videos from the event show a calm Kirk responding to questions about gun violence when the single shot rang out, hitting him in the neck. The crowd erupted into panic, with people scrambling to escape the area.
Despite the swift response from law enforcement, those in attendance described a scene of terror, with many fearing for their safety as they witnessed Kirk struggle before collapsing. Two individuals were detained by police but were later released after being deemed not connected to the shooting.
In the wake of the incident, Kirk's death has drawn urgent discussions on the rising political violence associated with divisive political narratives. Both Democratic and Republican leaders have condemned the attack, urging for reflection and action to prevent further tragedies.
Meanwhile, former President Trump hailed Kirk as a \u201cmartyr for truth and freedom,\u201d further polarizing the narrative surrounding this tragic event. The university has since closed its campus until further notice, reinforcing security measures amidst heightened fears following the shooting.
